Snow (Zarry AU)

Part 9

The first thing Zayn plans to do when he's alone is call Liam. It feels like it has been ages, even though they do text back and forth. That reminds Zayn; he has Harry's number now, but how is he supposed to proceed? Texting him here would be weird, since he's just a floor above Zayn and all.

He sits cross-legged on his bed, clutching his phone and chewing on his bottom lip. First, he just needs to call his best friend. He'll figure things out from there.

Liam answers the phone after three rings. "Zayn! What's up, mate?"

"Just wanted to chat," he says, bouncing his leg slightly.

"You never 'just chat'. What's going on? Do I need to have a yell at someone?" Liam never yells, unless it's for Zayn.

"Not yet? I think."

"Alright, and that means?"

"I met someone, Li. He is - he's amazing," Zayn sighs. He knows he must sound ridiculous, but it's true.

"Is this going to be one of those summer romances that last a week before you both have to go back to your own continent?"

Zayn snorts. "It's winter. Also, he lives in London."

"Still. Are you sure about this, man?"

"Yes. He makes me happy."

"Okay, then. Tell me more about this fellow."

Zayn launches into a speech about Harry; his eyes, smile, hair, sense of humour, laugh, legs-

"Jesus Christ, Zayn. You've got it bad,'' Liam laughs through the phone. "What are you planning on doing?"

"I don't know. Just keep moving forward, I guess."

"Solid plan, there. Just be careful, yea?" Zayn nods and stretches his legs on the bed. "Mate, you're doing it again. Can't hear you nod," Liam laments, but Zayn can hear a hint of amusement.

"Sorry! I'll be careful. How's home?"

Home, for Liam, is Wolverhampton. He goes back there every year during winter break to celebrate Christmas with his parents and sisters, this year being no different. Zayn makes sure to call from whatever location he's at, because he understands like no other the need to talk to someone who a) has no girl parts, and b) isn't part of your immediate family.

So Zayn listens to Liam talk about his sisters, the usual squabble they have over the decorations, and when the best time to open the presents will be even though they agree on the morning every year. Zayn doesn't really celebrate Christmas, so listening to Liam about it is quite amusing.

It also makes Zayn wonder if Harry is planning to, since he's at a ski resort with his parents and his sister Gemma is still at home with her husband. Newlyweds and all. Maybe he should ask him, see if he wants to do something.

"You listening?" Liam asks, drawing Zayn's attention from his own thoughts.

"Sorry, got a bit distracted," Zayn apologises, but Liam just laughs it off.

"'S alright, I get it. Go to your man. I'll talk to you soon." They say their goodbyes, and Zayn stares down at his phone screen until it goes dark, his reflection staring back at him. Sighing, he pockets his phone and decides to go for a walk first.

The wind is cold, cutting into his skin and making his teeth chatter, and Zayn can slowly feel his hands and feet starting to grow numb. He has been walking past the little shops, even went inside one to warm up and take a look around, although he left again a few minutes later after the salesclerk tried to sell him hand cream and threatened to start lecturing him on keeping moisturised in these extreme weather conditions.

What he needs is a hot drink or a fire, and he is glad to find the latter amongst a collection of stalls selling a variety of things he isn't really interested in. He nods at the man on the other side of the small fire pit and stretches out his hands. After they start to feel somewhat normal again, he tries to think of where to go to next. There must be a part of town he hasn't been to yet, although he doesn't want to wander too far-

Two hands grab his shoulders, startling him. "Boo!"

Zayn doesn't have to turn around to know who it is. "Harry, how mature of you."

"Sorry, couldn't resist," Harry chuckles and moves to stand in front of Zayn.

"You're blocking my source of heat," Zayn complains, narrowing his eyes.

"What, I'm not hot enough?" This makes Zayn laugh, and he pulls Harry closer while shaking his head.

"'Course you are," Zayn murmurs before moving in closer and placing a kiss on Harry's lips, their cold noses brushing.

Harry smiles brightly and takes Zayn's hand. "Good, because otherwise I wasn't going to ask you if you wanted to come to the Yule Ball with me."

"The what?"

"Yule Ball. It's on Christmas Eve in two days. You up for it?"

Zayn chuckles nervously. "Yule...Ball? I don't have anything to wear and dancing really isn't my thing..." he trails off, confused by Harry's happy expression. "What is it?"

"What if we have our own little Ball? In my room, with music and wine. Like a proper date!" Zayn chews on his bottom lip thoughtfully. "And no need to dress up," Harry adds with a wide smile.

"That actually sounds quite nice." The only part Zayn doesn't look forward to is the dancing, but he's not afraid of embarrassing himself in front of Harry; he's done that enough already, he reckons. Whenever he thinks about the incident on the ice he has to resist the urge to cringe, although he did make Harry laugh. Maybe it wasn't so bad.

"Great! I should get back to Don, left her in a shop." Harry points to something behind Zayn and when he turns around to look, he sees it's the shop with the pushy salesclerk.

"Alright, but don't buy any hand cream."

Harry gives him a weird look. "I won't?" He then leans forward to capture Zayn's lips in a short, sweet kiss, before trudging through the snow and disappearing inside the shop after giving one last wave.

Zayn gives up his efforts to warm up entirely and decides to go back to the hotel instead, where he can curl up under a blanket and work on his sketches.

We're almost halfway there.. it's going fast! The next update will be on Wednesday.

All the love xxx <3

Dedication: @PhuxkinDxpe